Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A storage device comprising: a nonvolatile memory device; and a controller configured to, communicate with a host through a first port, communicate with an external storage device through a second port, control the nonvolatile memory device based on first mapping information, receive second mapping information from the external storage device, receive first write data from the host, and selectively transmit the first write data to the external storage device based on the second mapping information.
This invention relates to a storage device with enhanced data management capabilities, particularly for systems requiring efficient data handling between a host and an external storage device. The problem addressed is the need for seamless and intelligent data routing between a primary storage device and an external storage device, ensuring optimal performance and resource utilization. The storage device includes a nonvolatile memory device and a controller. The controller communicates with a host through a first port and with an external storage device through a second port. The controller manages the nonvolatile memory device using first mapping information, which defines how data is stored within the device. Additionally, the controller receives second mapping information from the external storage device, which provides details on how data should be routed or stored externally. When the controller receives first write data from the host, it evaluates the second mapping information to determine whether the data should be transmitted to the external storage device. This selective transmission ensures that data is directed appropriately based on predefined rules or conditions, optimizing storage efficiency and performance. The system enables dynamic data management, allowing for flexible and intelligent data placement across multiple storage devices.
2. The storage device of claim 1 , wherein a first logical address of the first write data is allocated, by the host, such that the first logical address corresponds to a storage area of the first storage device.
A storage device system includes a host and multiple storage devices, where the host manages data storage across these devices. The system addresses the challenge of efficiently distributing and tracking data writes across multiple storage devices to optimize performance and reliability. The host allocates logical addresses to data writes, ensuring each logical address corresponds to a specific storage area within a storage device. This allocation allows the host to manage data placement dynamically, improving storage efficiency and reducing fragmentation. The system also supports write operations where the host sends write data to a first storage device, and the storage device processes the data, including error correction and data protection. The host can allocate a first logical address to the write data, mapping it to a specific storage area in the first storage device. This logical-to-physical address mapping enables flexible data management, allowing the host to distribute data across multiple storage devices while maintaining data integrity and accessibility. The system enhances storage performance by optimizing data placement and reducing overhead in address management.
3. The storage device of claim 1 , wherein, the first mapping information comprises correspondence information between logical addresses managed by the host and first physical addresses of the nonvolatile memory device, and the second mapping information comprises correspondence information between the logical addresses and second physical addresses of a nonvolatile memory device in the external storage device.
This invention relates to a storage device system that manages data mapping between a host and multiple nonvolatile memory devices, including an external storage device. The problem addressed is efficiently maintaining accurate data mapping across different storage layers to ensure data integrity and performance. The storage device includes a controller that generates and manages two types of mapping information. The first mapping information establishes a correspondence between logical addresses used by the host and first physical addresses of a nonvolatile memory device directly connected to the storage device. This allows the controller to translate host-issued logical addresses into physical storage locations within the internal nonvolatile memory. The second mapping information links the same logical addresses to second physical addresses of a nonvolatile memory device located in an external storage device. This enables the storage device to manage data that may be stored externally while maintaining consistency with the host's logical address space. The controller uses these mapping tables to direct read and write operations to the appropriate storage locations, whether internal or external. This dual-mapping approach ensures that data can be seamlessly accessed regardless of its physical location, improving flexibility and scalability in storage management. The system is particularly useful in environments where data may be distributed across multiple storage devices while maintaining a unified logical address space for the host.
4. The storage device of claim 3 , wherein the controller is configured to transmit, at least one physical address of the second physical addresses, and the first write data to the external storage device based on the second mapping information.
A storage device includes a controller and a memory. The controller manages data storage operations by mapping logical addresses to physical addresses. The device also includes a second mapping information that associates logical addresses with physical addresses in an external storage device. When the controller receives a write command for first write data, it determines a logical address and then identifies a corresponding physical address in the memory. If the physical address is unavailable, the controller transmits at least one physical address from the external storage device and the first write data to the external storage device based on the second mapping information. This ensures data is stored efficiently by utilizing available physical addresses in the external storage device when local storage is insufficient. The system optimizes storage management by dynamically redirecting data to external storage when necessary, improving overall storage utilization and performance. The controller handles the mapping and transmission processes to maintain data integrity and accessibility across both internal and external storage resources.
5. The storage device of claim 3 , wherein the controller is configured to update the second mapping information after transmitting the first write data to the external storage device.
A storage device includes a controller and a memory. The controller manages data storage operations by maintaining mapping information that associates logical addresses with physical addresses in the memory. The device also interfaces with an external storage device to offload data. When the controller receives write data, it generates first mapping information linking the write data to a logical address and second mapping information linking the logical address to a physical address in the external storage device. The controller transmits the write data to the external storage device and updates the second mapping information after the transmission is complete. This ensures that the mapping information remains accurate and reflects the current state of the data in the external storage device. The system improves data integrity and reliability by synchronizing the mapping information with the actual data storage location. The controller may also handle error recovery and data consistency checks to further enhance reliability. The storage device is particularly useful in systems where data is distributed across multiple storage devices, ensuring that logical-to-physical address mappings are always up to date.
6. The storage device of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to transmit the first write data to the external storage device when the nonvolatile memory device is operating.
A storage device includes a nonvolatile memory device and a controller. The controller is configured to receive first write data from a host and determine whether to store the first write data in the nonvolatile memory device or transmit it to an external storage device. The controller prioritizes storing the first write data in the nonvolatile memory device when the nonvolatile memory device is not operating, ensuring data is retained even during power loss. When the nonvolatile memory device is operating, the controller transmits the first write data to the external storage device, offloading storage tasks to reduce latency and improve performance. The external storage device may be a separate storage medium, such as a secondary nonvolatile memory or a networked storage system. This approach balances data persistence and performance by dynamically routing write operations based on the operational state of the nonvolatile memory device. The invention addresses the challenge of maintaining data integrity during power interruptions while optimizing write performance when the storage device is active.
7. The storage device of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to, read the first write data stored in the external storage device, during an idle time, based on the second mapping information, and store the read first write data in the nonvolatile memory device.
This invention relates to a storage device with an external storage device and a nonvolatile memory device, addressing the challenge of efficiently managing data transfer between these components. The storage device includes a controller that generates first mapping information linking logical addresses to physical addresses in the nonvolatile memory device and second mapping information linking logical addresses to physical addresses in the external storage device. The controller writes first write data to the external storage device and stores second write data in the nonvolatile memory device. To optimize performance, the controller reads the first write data from the external storage device during idle times, using the second mapping information, and transfers it to the nonvolatile memory device. This reduces latency by leveraging idle periods for background data migration, improving overall system efficiency. The invention ensures seamless data management by maintaining accurate mapping information for both storage devices, allowing the controller to dynamically relocate data based on system workload and availability. The external storage device may be a slower but higher-capacity storage medium, while the nonvolatile memory device provides faster access, enabling the system to balance performance and cost. The controller's ability to prioritize data transfers during idle times minimizes disruptions to active operations, enhancing user experience and system responsiveness.
8. The storage device of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to read the first write data stored in the external storage device based on the second mapping information and to store the read first write data in the nonvolatile memory device, if a size of the first write data stored in the external storage device is greater than or equal to a reference size.
This invention relates to a storage device with a controller that manages data storage between a nonvolatile memory device and an external storage device. The problem addressed is efficient data handling when write data exceeds a certain size threshold. The storage device includes a nonvolatile memory device and a controller that generates first and second mapping information to track data locations. The controller writes first write data to the external storage device and stores second write data in the nonvolatile memory device. The second mapping information links the first write data to its location in the external storage device. When the size of the first write data in the external storage device meets or exceeds a reference size, the controller reads the first write data from the external storage device using the second mapping information and transfers it to the nonvolatile memory device. This ensures that large data sets are eventually consolidated in the nonvolatile memory for improved performance and reliability. The reference size can be dynamically adjusted based on system conditions or predefined thresholds. The invention optimizes storage utilization by offloading large data writes to the external storage device initially, then migrating them to the nonvolatile memory when necessary, reducing wear on the nonvolatile memory while maintaining data accessibility.
9. The storage device of claim 1 , wherein the controller comprises a data buffer that temporarily stores the first write data, and wherein the first write data is released from the data buffer after the first write data is transmitted to the external storage device.
This invention relates to a storage device with improved data handling for external storage operations. The storage device includes a controller that manages data transfers between the device and an external storage device. The controller contains a data buffer that temporarily stores write data before transmission to the external storage device. Once the write data is successfully transmitted, it is released from the buffer to free up space for new data. This mechanism ensures efficient data flow and prevents buffer overflow during write operations. The storage device may also include a non-volatile memory for storing data, and the controller may perform additional functions such as error detection and correction. The buffer management system optimizes performance by dynamically handling data transfers while maintaining data integrity. This approach is particularly useful in systems where reliable and timely data transmission to external storage is critical, such as in enterprise storage solutions or backup systems. The invention addresses the challenge of managing temporary data storage during write operations to external devices, ensuring smooth and uninterrupted data flow.
10. The storage device of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to receive second write data from the host after transmitting the first write data to the external storage device.
A storage device includes a controller and a non-volatile memory. The controller is configured to receive first write data from a host and transmit the first write data to an external storage device. The controller is further configured to receive second write data from the host after transmitting the first write data to the external storage device. The storage device may also include a buffer memory for temporarily storing the first write data before transmission to the external storage device. The controller may be configured to manage data transfer between the host and the external storage device, ensuring efficient data handling and minimizing latency. The storage device may be part of a larger storage system, where the external storage device provides additional storage capacity or redundancy. The controller may also handle error detection and correction to ensure data integrity during transmission. The storage device may be used in applications requiring high-speed data transfer, such as enterprise storage systems or cloud computing environments. The invention addresses the need for efficient data management in storage systems, particularly in scenarios where data must be transferred between multiple storage devices while maintaining performance and reliability.
11. The storage device of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to communicate with the host based on a universal flash storage (UFS) interface.
A storage device includes a controller and a non-volatile memory array. The controller manages data storage operations, such as reading, writing, and erasing data, within the memory array. The device is designed to interface with a host system, allowing the host to access and manipulate stored data. The controller is specifically configured to communicate with the host using a Universal Flash Storage (UFS) interface, a high-speed, serial protocol optimized for flash memory storage devices. This interface enables efficient data transfer between the storage device and the host, supporting features like command queuing, power management, and scalable performance. The UFS interface is particularly suited for mobile and embedded systems, where low power consumption and high data throughput are critical. The storage device may also include additional features, such as error correction, wear leveling, and bad block management, to ensure data integrity and prolong the lifespan of the memory array. The UFS interface standardizes communication, simplifying integration with various host systems while maintaining high performance and reliability.
12. A storage system comprising: a host; a first storage device including a first nonvolatile memory device, the first storage device configured to communicate with the host through first ports; and a second storage device including a second nonvolatile memory device, the second storage device configured to communicate with the first storage device through second ports, wherein, the first storage device is configured to receive first write data from the host and to transmit the received first write data to the second storage device, the second storage device is configured to store the received first write data, and a first logical address of the first write data is allocated, by the host, such that the first logical address corresponds to a first storage area of the first storage device.
This invention relates to a storage system architecture designed to improve data management and redundancy. The system addresses the challenge of efficiently distributing and storing data across multiple storage devices while maintaining logical address consistency. The storage system includes a host connected to a first storage device, which in turn communicates with a second storage device. Both storage devices contain nonvolatile memory, such as flash or SSD storage. The host sends write data to the first storage device, which then forwards this data to the second storage device for storage. The host assigns a logical address to the data, mapping it to a specific storage area in the first storage device. This setup allows the system to distribute data across multiple devices while ensuring the host can track data locations through logical addressing. The first storage device acts as an intermediary, receiving data from the host and relaying it to the second storage device. The second storage device stores the data, effectively creating a tiered storage hierarchy. This architecture can enhance data redundancy, load balancing, or performance optimization by leveraging multiple storage layers. The system ensures that logical addresses remain consistent, simplifying data management for the host.
13. The storage system of claim 12 , wherein the first storage device is an embedded storage device and the second storage device is a card storage device.
The invention relates to a storage system designed to manage data across multiple storage devices, particularly addressing the challenge of efficiently utilizing different types of storage media. The system includes at least two storage devices: an embedded storage device and a card storage device. The embedded storage device is integrated into the system, providing reliable, high-capacity storage, while the card storage device offers portable, removable storage for flexible data transfer. The system is configured to coordinate data operations between these devices, ensuring seamless data access and management. This dual-storage approach enhances system versatility by allowing users to leverage the strengths of both embedded and removable storage solutions. The embedded storage device may handle primary data storage and processing, while the card storage device can be used for backups, data transfer, or additional storage capacity. The system optimizes performance by dynamically allocating tasks between the two storage types based on factors such as data size, access frequency, and power efficiency. This design is particularly useful in devices where space and power constraints require a balance between fixed and removable storage options.
14. The storage system of claim 12 , wherein the first storage device further includes: a first controller configured to control the first nonvolatile memory device based on first mapping information, and the second storage device further includes: a second controller configured to control the second nonvolatile memory device based on second mapping information.
A storage system includes multiple storage devices, each containing a nonvolatile memory device and a controller. The controllers manage data storage and retrieval operations within their respective nonvolatile memory devices using mapping information. The first storage device includes a first controller that operates based on first mapping information, while the second storage device includes a second controller that operates based on second mapping information. The system is designed to improve data management efficiency by allowing independent control of each storage device through its dedicated controller and mapping information. This configuration enables optimized data placement, retrieval, and management across the storage devices, enhancing overall system performance and reliability. The use of separate controllers and mapping information for each storage device allows for flexible and scalable data handling, accommodating different storage requirements and workloads. The system is particularly useful in environments where efficient data access and management are critical, such as in enterprise storage solutions or high-performance computing systems.
15. The storage system of claim 14 , wherein the first and second controllers are configured to exchange the first and second mapping information with each other.
This invention relates to a storage system with redundant controllers for improved data management and fault tolerance. The system addresses the problem of maintaining data consistency and availability in storage systems that use multiple controllers, particularly when one controller fails or becomes isolated. The storage system includes at least two controllers, each capable of managing data access and storage operations. Each controller maintains its own mapping information, which defines how logical addresses (used by applications) are translated to physical storage locations. The first controller manages first mapping information, while the second controller manages second mapping information. To ensure synchronization and redundancy, the controllers are configured to exchange their respective mapping information with each other. This exchange allows both controllers to maintain up-to-date and consistent mappings, even if one controller experiences a failure or network partition. The system may also include storage devices where data is physically stored, and the controllers coordinate access to these devices based on the shared mapping information. The exchange of mapping information ensures that data remains accessible and consistent across the system, even in the event of a controller failure. This redundancy improves reliability and minimizes downtime in storage environments.
16. A storage system comprising: a first storage device including, a first nonvolatile memory device, and a first controller configured to, control the first nonvolatile memory device based on first mapping information, receive second mapping information, receive first write data, and selectively transmit the first write data based on the second mapping information; and a second storage device including a second nonvolatile memory device, and a second controller configured to, control the second nonvolatile memory device based on the second mapping information, transmit second mapping information to the first storage device, and receive first write data selectively transmitted by the first storage device based on the second mapping information.
The storage system addresses the challenge of efficiently managing data distribution and redundancy across multiple storage devices. It consists of two storage devices, each containing a nonvolatile memory device and a controller. The first storage device includes a first nonvolatile memory device and a first controller that manages the memory using first mapping information. The first controller also receives second mapping information and first write data, then selectively transmits the first write data based on the second mapping information. The second storage device includes a second nonvolatile memory device and a second controller that manages the memory using the second mapping information. The second controller sends the second mapping information to the first storage device and receives the first write data selectively transmitted by the first storage device. This system enables coordinated data handling between the storage devices, allowing for optimized data placement and retrieval based on dynamic mapping information. The selective transmission of write data ensures efficient data distribution and redundancy, improving overall system performance and reliability.
17. The storage system of claim 16 , wherein a first logical address of the first write data is allocated, by a host, such that the first logical address corresponds to a first storage area of the first nonvolatile memory device.
A storage system includes a host and a nonvolatile memory device, where the host manages data storage operations. The system allocates logical addresses to write data, mapping them to specific storage areas in the nonvolatile memory device. In this configuration, the host assigns a first logical address to first write data, ensuring it corresponds to a first storage area within the nonvolatile memory device. This allocation allows the host to track and manage data placement efficiently, optimizing storage utilization and access performance. The system may also include additional features such as error detection, data redundancy, and wear leveling to enhance reliability and longevity of the storage device. The host may further coordinate with the nonvolatile memory device to ensure data integrity during write and read operations, using techniques like error correction codes or checksums. The storage system is designed to handle large-scale data storage with high durability and low latency, suitable for applications requiring frequent read/write operations.
18. The storage system of claim 16 , wherein the second controller is further configured to store the first write data, received from the first controller, in the second nonvolatile memory device.
Technical Summary: The invention relates to a storage system with redundant controllers for improved data reliability and availability. The system addresses the problem of data loss or unavailability during controller failures by implementing a dual-controller architecture where a second controller can take over operations if the primary controller fails. The storage system includes a first controller and a second controller, each connected to one or more nonvolatile memory devices. The first controller is responsible for receiving write data from a host system and storing it in a first nonvolatile memory device. The second controller is configured to monitor the first controller and, in the event of a failure, assume control of the storage system. Additionally, the second controller is configured to store the first write data, received from the first controller, in a second nonvolatile memory device. This ensures that data is redundantly stored across multiple memory devices, enhancing data protection. The system may also include mechanisms for synchronizing data between the controllers and memory devices to maintain consistency. The invention improves fault tolerance and data durability in storage systems by providing redundant storage paths and failover capabilities.
19. The storage system of claim 18 , wherein the first storage device is further configured to: read the first write data from the second storage device, and store the first write data read from the second storage device in the first nonvolatile memory device.
This invention relates to a storage system designed to improve data reliability and availability in distributed storage environments. The system addresses the challenge of ensuring data integrity when primary storage devices fail or become unavailable by leveraging redundant storage devices to maintain data consistency. The storage system includes at least two storage devices, each containing nonvolatile memory for persistent data storage. The first storage device is configured to receive write data from a host system and store it in its nonvolatile memory. If the first storage device fails or becomes unavailable, the second storage device temporarily holds the write data until the first storage device recovers. Upon recovery, the first storage device reads the write data from the second storage device and restores it to its own nonvolatile memory, ensuring data consistency across the system. This redundancy mechanism prevents data loss and maintains system reliability even during failures. The system may also include additional storage devices to further enhance redundancy and fault tolerance. The second storage device can similarly store write data for other storage devices in the system, creating a distributed backup mechanism. This approach ensures that data remains accessible and consistent regardless of individual storage device failures, improving overall system resilience. The invention is particularly useful in high-availability storage environments where uninterrupted data access is critical.
20. The storage system of claim 16 , wherein the first controller is configured to update the second mapping information after transmitting the first write data.
Technical Summary: The invention relates to a storage system designed to improve data management efficiency in distributed storage environments. The system addresses the challenge of maintaining accurate and up-to-date data mappings across multiple storage controllers, particularly in scenarios where data is written to a primary storage location and subsequently mirrored or replicated to secondary locations. The system includes at least two controllers, each responsible for managing different portions of the storage system. The first controller handles write operations by transmitting write data to a primary storage location and updating mapping information that tracks the location of the data. The second controller manages a secondary storage location and maintains its own mapping information to ensure data consistency. The invention specifically focuses on the process of updating mapping information after a write operation. The first controller, after transmitting the first write data to the primary storage location, updates the second mapping information to reflect the new data placement. This ensures that the secondary controller's mapping information remains synchronized with the primary controller's data, preventing inconsistencies and improving data retrieval performance. The system may also include mechanisms to verify the successful transmission of write data and to handle errors or failures during the update process. The overall goal is to enhance data reliability and accessibility in distributed storage systems by maintaining accurate and synchronized mapping information across multiple controllers.
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January 7, 2020
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